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Our Mission Statement

The primary mission of our foundation is to increase awareness of ovarian cancer by educating women and the community about the risks and the symptoms of ovarian cancer for early detection. Our foundation supports funding for ovarian cancer research and ovarian cancer advocacy. Not to go unmentioned is the emotional support and services provided to those with the illness, their family members and caregivers. We have an attorney available to assist with Wills, Power of Attorney and Estate Planning.

What About Ovarian Cancer?

All women are at risk for ovarian cancer, about 90 percent of women who get ovarian cancer are older than 40, with the greatest number of ovarian cancers occurring in women aged 60 years or older. Most women get it without being at high risk; however, the following factors may increase a woman’s risk:

Being Middle-Aged or Older

Having close family members on either your mother’s or your father’s side who have had ovarian cancer

Having had breast, uterine or colorectal cancer

Having an Eastern European (Ashkenazi) Jewish background

Having never given birth or having had trouble getting pregnant

Having endometriosis (a condition where tissue from the lining of the uterus grows elsewhere in the body)

If you have one or more of these factors, it does not mean you will get ovarian cancer, but you should speak with your doctor about your risk.

What Are The Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer?

Ovarian cancer may cause one or more of these signs and symptoms:

Vaginal bleeding (particularly if you are past menopause) or discharge that is not normal for you

Pain or pressure in the pelvic or abdominal area

Back Pain

Bloating in the abdominal area

Feeling full quickly when eating

A change in your bathroom habits, such as having to pass urine very badly or very often, constipation or diarrhea.

Pay attention to your body, and know what is normal for you. These symptoms may be caused by something other than cancer, but the only way to know is to see your doctor. Treatment is most effective when ovarian cancer is found and treated early.